Effects of Alcohol for kids

n low doses, alcohol produces:

* a relaxing effect
* reduces tension
* lowers inhibitions
* impairs concentration
* slows reflexes
* impairs reaction time
* reduces coordination

In medium doses, alcohol produces:

* slur speech
* cause drowsiness
* alter emotions

In high doses, alcohol produces:

* vomiting
* breathing difficulties
* unconsciousness
* coma

Effects of Alcohol on the Nervous System

As mentioned above, alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. It acts at many sites, including the reticular formation, spinal cord, cerebellum and cerebral cortex, and on many neurotransmitter systems. Alcohol is a very small molecule and is soluble in "lipid" and water solutions. Because of these properties, alcohol gets into the bloodstream very easily and also crosses the blood brain barrier. Some of the neurochemical effects of alcohol are:

* Increased turnover of norepinephrine and dopamine
* Decreased transmission in acetylcholine systems
* Increased transmission in GABA systems
* Increased production of beta-endorphin in the hypothalamus

Chronic drinking can lead to dependence and addiction to alcohol and to additional neurological problems. Typical symptoms of withholding alcohol from someone who is addicted to it are shaking (tremors), sleep problems and nausea. More severe withdrawal symptoms include hallucinations and even seizures.

Chronic alcohol use can:

* Damage the frontal lobes of the brain
* Cause an overall reduction in brain size and increase in the size of the ventricles
* Lead to alcoholism (addiction to alcohol) and result in tolerance to the effects of alcohol and variety of health problems
* Cause a vitamin deficiency. Because the digestion system of alcoholics is unable to absorb vitamin B-1 (thiamine), a syndrome known as "Wernicke's Encephalopathy" may develop. This syndrome is characterized by impaired memory, confusion and lack of coordination. Further deficiencies of thiamine can lead to "Korsakoff's Syndrome." This disorder is characterized by amnesia, apathy and disorientation. Widespread disease of the brain is a feature of both Wernicke's and Korsakoff's Syndromes.